Quick-acting vise.



No. 720,895. PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903.

E. R. COOK.

QUICK ACTING YISE.

.AIPPLIOA'I'IMSI FILED JULY 7, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H0 MODEL.

czfitvrnegs.

'PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903.

E. R. 000K. QUIGK ACTING VISB. APPLICATION FILED JUL Y 7, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

30 MODEL.

- v.0 V l/z zessea' eddiarzwya.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEncE.

EDMOND R. COOK, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES A. HERRIMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

QUICK-ACTING vise.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 720,895, dated February 17, 1903.

Application filed July 7, 1902. erial lilo. 114,574. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, EDMOND R. 000K, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sacramento, county of Sacramento, State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Quick-Actin g Vises; and

I declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to IO which it pertains to make and use the same,

reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates in general to vises I 5 and more particularly to the type commonly known as quick-acting Vises.

It is desirable that the jaws of a vise should be capable of being quickly separated and also quickly moved toward each other into contact with the object or work which is to be held by the vise and capable also of being slowly but forcibly moved toward each other to grip the object with the desired pressure to firmly hold the same.

The object of my invention is to providea vise the jaws of which may be quickly moved toward each other any desired distance and then slowly and evenly moved together and firmly locked in any adjusted relation, the jaws also being capable of ready disengagement from the object and quickly moved relatively either toward or away from each other.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide a vise which will be simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, and efficient in operation.

The embodiment of my invention herein disclosed comprises, generally described, a pair of worm-wheels journaled upon a support secured to one of the jaws and which simultaneously engage the opposite sides of a worm-shaft rotatabl y secured to the other jaw, the rotation of the worm-wheels being governed by a pawl which is engaged with and disengaged from the ratchetteeth on the worm-wheels by means of a cam frictionally supported upon the worm-shaft.

My invention will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompany- 50 ing drawings, in which the same is illustrated as embodied in a convenient and practical form, and in which- Figure l is a plan view of my invention, a portion of the supporting-frame being removed to show the parts beneath the same;

Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view on line 2 2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a cross-sectional "view on line 3 3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a plan view of one of the jaws and the adjacent supporting-frame, the operating mechanism having been removed; Fig. 5, a plan view of the top of the supporting-t'rame removed from the lower supporting-frame; and Fig. 6, an enlarged detailsectional view on line 6 6, Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts in the several figures of the drawings, I

Reference characters A and A indicate the jaws of the vise, which-in the present instance is shown as of a type used by Woodworkers. It is obvious. of course that by slight modifications the vise may be adapted for the use of metal-workers and other mechanics. The outer surface of thejaw A may be provided with strengthening-ribs a and is provided with an opening a, through which passes a shaft B, which is provided with a worm-thread. The portion of the shaft 13 extending beyond the exterior surface of the jaw A is provided with a hand-lever of usual construction in Vises and similar tools.

A supporting-frame O is secured to and preferably formed integrally with the jaw A The jaw A and the vertical portion C of the frame O are provided with openings at and 0 respectively, through which the wormshaft passes. Tubular guides C and O are provided between the jaw A and the supporting-frame 0, through which pass guiderods'B andB The ends of the guide-rods pass through the jaw A, to which they are rigidly secured by means of nuts I) and 5 respectively. Guide-rings O and C are ,provided at the rear of the supporting-frame 0, through which the guide-rods B and B also pass. Worm gear-wheels F and F are journaled upon the supporting-frame C and are provided with ratchet-teetl1f and f respectively, on their upper surfaces. The wormwheels are j ournaled upon short shafts E and E which pass through perforated bosses c and formed on the lower supporting-frame O and also through perforated bosses d and (1 formed beneath a top supporting-frame D. Nuts 6 and (2 respectively, (see Fig. 3,) are engaged with the lower ends of the shafts E and E respectively. The hubs of the.

worm-wheels surround the short shafts E and E and are interposed between the perforated bosses d and c and d and 0 respectively. The worm-wheels are spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit the passage between them of the worm-shaft B, with which they mesh.

A pair of lugs d extend below the upper frame D, adjacent to the jaw A Between the lugs d is pivotally supported the end of a pawl G. Two sets of teeth g and g are provided on the pawl G and are adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth f and f respec tively, formed on the upper surfaces of the worm-wheels. A projection g is formed on the pawl G, by means of which the pawl is swung upwardly to disengage the teeth from the worm-wheels. The pawl G is preferably operated by gravity to engage the ratchetteeth on the worm-wheels, although any other type of pawl might obviously be used. A cam his provided for elevating the pawl G,through engagement with the projection g thereon. The cam h is mounted upon a support H, which surrounds and frictionally engages the worm-shaft B. The frictional engagement between the support H for the cam h preferably consists in a shoe H, (see Fig. 6 in particular,) which is provided with a lower surface curved to correspond to the curvature of the worm-shaft and forced into contact with the worm-shaft by means of a spring H the tension of which may be regulated by a setscrew 7?. The cam-support H is held longitudinally immovable with respect to the worm-shaft through engagement with the vertical wall C of the supporting-frame and with the upwardly-projecting lugs 0 located at a distance from the wall C substantially equal to the length of the cam-support H, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The tension of the spring H need only be sufficient to insure sufficient frictional engagement between the cam-support and the worm-shaft to cause the former to move with the latter, and thereby rotate the cam beneath the projection g on the pawl G. A rib 0 preferably formed integrally with the lower supporting-frame 0, projects into the path of rotation of the cam and is engaged by a lug h, formed at one end of the cam, when the latter moves with the worm-shaft toward the left in Fig. 6that is, when the Worm-shaft is revolved, so as to draw the jaws of the vise together through its engagement with the threads on the worm-gears. A stop 0 projects into the path of movement of the cam h and is engaged by the latter when it moves with the worm-shaft to the position indicated in Fig. 6, at which time the pawl has been lifted out of engagement with the ratchet-teeth on the worm-wheels through the elevation of the projection g. The rotation of the worm-shaft B in a direction to separate the jaws of the vise through the engagement of the thread on the shaft with the teeth on the worm-wheels rotates the cam h substantially ninety degrees-that is, to the position shown in Fig. -6-when the stop 0 prevents further rotation of the support H of the cam and permits the shaft to rotate within the same.

The upper supporting-frame D is preferably provided with depending lugs D and D which are provided with perforations adapted to register with perforations formed through the rear vertical wall 0 of the bottom supporting frame 0. Screws d and d pass through the registering perforations in the wall 0 and lugs D and D to secure the upper and lower supporting-frames together.

The vise may be conveniently secured beneath a work-bench by means of screws passing upwardly through perforated lugs D and D formed integrally with the top supporting-frame D and by means of screws or other fastening devices passing through openings formed in the jaw A in a plane above the top supporting-frame D.

The operation of my improved vise is as follows: The object or work which is to be held by the vise is inserted between the jaws as is commonly done in the use of vises. The front jaw A may then be quickly moved toward the jaw A so that the object is gripped between the two jaws. The movement of the jaw A toward the jaw A is permitted by reason of the worm-shaft rotating the wormwheels through the engagement of the thread on the shaft with the teeth on the wheels. The free rotation of the worm-wheels in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1 when the jaw A is moved toward the jaw A is permitted, owing to the ratchet-teeth on their upper surfaces being so inclined as to pass beneath the teeth on the pawl G. When the jaws have been moved into contact with the object to be gripped, the worm-shaft B is rotated by means of the hand-lever b and through the engagement of the thread on the shaft with the teeth on the worm-wheels the jaw A is slowly but forcibly moved toward the jaw A thereby firmly gripping the object between the jaws with the desired pressure. The teeth g and g on the pawl G engage the ratchet-teeth) and f respectively, on the worm-wheels and prevent the rotation of the same in the reverse direction to that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The wormwheels consequently serve to retain the shaft B from movement outwardly-that is, in a direction to separate the jaws of the vise. The location of the worm-wheels on either side of the worm-shaft afiords a simultaneous engagement with the opposite surfaces of the worm-shaft, thereby insuring an even feeding forward of the jaw A and avoiding any twisting between the cooperating parts during the operation of the vise. The guide-rods 13' and B through their contact with the tubular sleeves C and G and the eyes 0 and C serve to add strength to the vise and insure the movement of the jaws relatively to each other in parallel planes. When it is desired to dis= engage the object which has been gripped between the jaws of the vise, the worm-shaft B is given a reverse quarter-turnfthat is, in a direction opposite to that in which it is rotated-to advance the jaw A toward the jaw A The support H for the cam h, through its frictional engagement with the worm-shaft, is carried thereby substantially ninety degrees for a distance sufficient to elevate the projecjection g on the pawl G, thereby disengaging the teeth on the pawl from the ratchet-teeth on the worm-wheels. The jaw A may then be moved quickly away from the jaw A the rotation of the worm-wheels in the reverse direction to that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 permitting the worm-shaftB to move between the same without necessitatingthe rotation of the shaft in order to separate the jaws of the vise. The movement of the cam h with the worm-shaft is limited through the engagement of the cam with the stop-pin 0 The rotation of the worm-shaft B toward the right carries the cam h with the same substantially ninety degrees, thereby permitting the pawl G to drop by gravity into engagement with the worm-wheels. The movement of the jaw A away from the jaw A is consequently prevented and the desired pressure maintained upon the object gripped between the jaws.

It will be observed that the jaw A may be moved toward the jaw A by merely exerting pressure on the hand-lever 1) without necessarily rotating the worm-shaft to the left to disengage the teeth on the pawl from the ratchet-teeth on the worm-wheels, as the inclination of the cooperating teeth on the pawl and worm-wheels is such as to permit the worm-shaft to rotate worm-wheels in the direotion of the arrows, but looks the wormwheels against the rotation in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, and hence rigidly retains the jaw A against movement away from the jaw A In order to separate the jaws, it is only necessary to turn the shaft approximately ninety degrees to the left to disengage the pawl from the ratchet-teeth on the worm-wheels, when the worm-shaft may be pulled outwardly, thereby separating the jaws.

While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form, the proportion of parts, and the substitution of equivalents, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a vise, the combination with two jaws,

of connecting mechanism between said jaws permitting relative movement thereof and comprising a rotatable shaft secured to one jaw and rotatable means secured to the other jaw engaging said shaft and adapted to draw the jaws together upon rotation of the shaft, locking mechanism engaging said rotatable means to prevent the movement of the jaws apart, and means frictionally mounted on and operated by a reverse rotation of said shaft to disengage the locking mechanism from said rotatable means thereby permitting relative movement of the jaws away from each other.

2. In a vise, the combination with two jaws, of connecting mechanism between said jaws permitting relative movement thereof and comprising a worm-shaft secured to one jaw and worm-wheels secured to the other jaw and in mesh with said shaft, locking mechanism engaging said worm-wheels to prevent the movement of the jaws apart, and means operated by a reverse rotation of said shaft to disengage the locking mechanism from said worm wheels thereby permitting relative movement of the jaws away from each other.

3. In a vise, the combination with two jaws; of connecting mechanism between said jaws permitting relative movement thereof and comprising a worm-shaft secured to one jaw and worm-wheels secured to the other jaw and in mesh with said shaft, a pawl engaging said worm-wheels to prevent the movement of the jaws apart, and a cam frictionally supported upon said worm-shaft and adapted to engage said pawl to disengage the same from the worm-wheels upon a reverse rotation of said shaft.

i. In a vise, the combination with two jaws, of connecting mechanism between said jaws effecting relative movement thereof and comprising a worm-shaft rotatably secured to one jaw and worm-wheels having ratchet-teeth upon their upper surfaces and secured to the other jaw and in mesh with said shaft, a gravity-pawl adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth on said worm-wheels to prevent the movement of the jaws apart, a cam frictionally mounted upon said worm-shaft adapted to engage said pawl and lift the same out of engagement with the ratchet-teeth on said wormwheels upon areverse rotation of said shaft.

5. In a vise, the combination with two jaws, of connecting mechanism between said jaws effectingrelative movement thereof and comprising a worm-shaft rotatably secured to one jaw and worm-wheels having ratchet-teeth upon their upper surfaces and secured to the other jaw and in mesh with said shaft, a gravity-pawl adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth on said worm-wheels to prevent the movement of the jaws apart, a cam frietionally mounted upon said worm-shaft adapted to engage said pawl and lift the same out of engagement with the ratchet-teeth on said worm-wheels upon a reverse rotation of said shaft, and stops located in the path of movement of said 7. In a vise, the combination with a jaw,

of a pair of worm-wheels, a support for said wheels secured to said jaw, a second jaw movable relatively to the first .jaw, a wormshaft rotatably secured to said second jaw and passing between and meshing with said worm-wheels, a pawl adapted to engage said worm-wheels to prevent the rotation thereof, and means for disengaging said pawl from said worm-wheels.

8. In a vise, the combination with a jaw,

of a pair of worm-wheels having ratchetteeth on their upper surfaces, a support for said wheels secured to said jaw,- a second jaw movable relatively to the first jaw, a wormshaft rotatably secured to said second jaw and passing between and meshing with said worm-wheels, a pawl for engaging the ratchetteeth on said worm-wheels to prevent the rotation thereof, and means operated by a reverse rotation of said worm-shaft to disen-Y gage said pawl from the ratchet-teeth on said worm-wheels.

9. In a vise, the combination with a jaw, of a pair of worm wheels having ratchetteeth on their upper surfaces, a support for said wheels secured to said jaw, a second jaw movable relatively to the first jaw, a wormshaft rotatably secured to said second jaw and passing between and meshing with said wormwheels, a pawl for engaging the ratchet-teeth on said worm-wheels to prevent the rotation thereof, and a cam frictionally supported upon said worm-shaft for disengaging said pawl from said ratchet-teeth on the wormwheels upon a reverse rotation of said wormshaft,

10. In a vise, the combination with two jaws, of connecting mechanism between said jaws, permitting relative movementthereof, and comprising a worm-shaft secured to one jaw, and a worm-wheel secured to the other jaw and in mesh with said shaft, ratchetteeth on said wheel and a pawl engaging said teeth for preventing rotation of said wheel in a direction to permit movement of the jaws apart.

11. In a vise, the combination with two jaws, of connecting mechanism between said jaws permitting relative movement thereof, and comprising a worm-shaft secured to one jaw and a worm-wheel secured to the other jaw and in mesh with said shaft, a pawl adapted to engage said worm-wheel to prevent the rotation thereof,-and means for disengaging said pawl from said wheel operated by a reverse rotation of said shaft.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

EDMOND R. COOK.

Witnesses:

GEo.-L. WILKINSON, CLARA C.'CUNNINGHAM. 

